Sneakers will never really be “out,” but they’re back “in” in a big way right now. Suits, #menswear, Americana, casual, formal, you can pretty much get away with wearing a quality pair of sneakers to any occasion (weddings and black tie generally excluded) and still get the GQ stamp of approval. If you’re looking for just such a pair of sneakers, say hello to the re-imagining of Adidas’ 1984 Centaur, the Consortium CNTR. Available in red, navy and gray, the CNTR is the perfect blend of mesh and suede heat-sealed together instead of stitched.

Occasionally a product will pop up that makes us question the dude behind it. Sometimes we just don’t know what was going through his or her mind when they decided, “Yeah, this vodka has to be blazing hot!” That’s kinda how we feel with these chocolate gears. We have no idea why they were made, all we can say is we’re happy they were. Available in both silver and gold, they’re almost too cool to eat. Offered in different quantities (they can get pretty pricey) the size of the gears range from .25″ round up to 1.5″ round and are made with Fair Trade Organic Chocolate and just a few other ingredients. Just don’t try to build any working machines out of them because they will either melt or be eaten immediately.

With the jangling of keys on your enormous keychain, you’d probably make the world’s worst ninja. Chances are your coworkers can hear you approaching the building after you get out of your car. Besides the noise, the modern keychain is bulky, cumbersome, and in serious need of improvement. The KeyFlip is a smart little option for storing the mess of house keys you currently carry around. The aluminum or stainless steel KeyFlip holds four house/work keys and even doubles as a bottle opener (one more thing you can remove from your keychain). It’s a simple, no frills way to keep your keys in order and your jangling to a minimum.

The MeCam is a personal autonomous micro unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that would automatically follow you while avoiding obstacles, and that could shoot and stream video of you using an onboard camera. It features an ARM Cortex-A9 processor, 1 GB of built-in RAM, an SD card slot, a camera, and is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-enabled. With these hardware specs, the bot would then be able to take videos of you as you move around, going higher or lower at your command, and streaming video to a paired iOS or Android mobile device. So in all, it’s not a creepy device that you’re neighbors need to fear at all.

Most origami kits teach you how to make a paper flower or grasshopper, which is about as interesting as, well, origami. How about a paper-folding project with balls instead? These paper models are downloadable PDFs that you just print out and build: all your favorite late-model and classic trucks are available. No grasshoppers.

Spending a significant amount of money on a piece of jewelry is a dicey situation for most guys. Rings and bracelets and necklaces are cool, but is it really worth more than $50? We’re in the same boat as you. Before today, the only ring we could see spending a big chunk of change on to wear on our own hand (wedding rings don’t count, obviously) was one of those Courts and Hackett Skull Rings made popular by Keith Richards. And then we found “The Man Ring.” If Victorinox made a ring, it would be this titanium utility ring. Made of individual titanium plates held together with brass rivets, the titanium utility ring cleverly hides a comb, bottle opener, straight blade, serrated blade and even a saw inside its 9mm wide confines. If it came in black, even Batman would wear one.

Shark Week kicks off this weekend and newsflash: It’s awesome! The thing is though, we’ve seen a lot of shark footage over the years, and while we’re definitely not bored with it, we just think it might be time for something fresh. We’re not saying ditch Shark Week, but maybe the Discovery Channel can mix sharks with smartphones? Sharks on motorcycles? Sharks with chicks? Sharks and politicians? We’re just saying the possibilities are endless.

MonkeyBait is on the lookout for savvy contributors and edgy writers who want to add to the expanse of testosterone filled bait for the common monkey (in other words, we want your brain on our pages). If you’ve been hanging around the Monkey for any length of time you know this blog is all about dudes and the stuff that puts a silly grin on their faces. Deodorant optional. So whatcha got?

In exchange for your writing we’ll gladly heap link-backs to your personal blogs or product pages, put your name up in lights, slap you on the butt and pass you a tasty ale. As an added benefit please know that your articles will be seen by thousands daily – adding to your own personal awesomeness. You’re welcome.

If you’re looking for a quality, outdoorsy, guy’s-guy type of gift, the Kaufmann Mercantile EDC Kit, which is made in the USA, will work great. These small, multi-use tool kit comes with pry bar, screwdrivers, precision tweezers, waterproof lighter and a titanium key ring. Our favorite tool has to be the waterproof lighter which is water and air tight, refillable with regular lighter fluid (not included), comes with a key chain attachment, stays lit until blown out, and is convertible to a waterproof pill carrier. Plus, all the tools weigh less than 2 ounces combined and come with a very light, very strong titanium split key ring. Also cool is how “the company that makes these keychain tools also supply goods to the U.S. Military, local police forces, firemen and serious survivalists”.

No, your eyes do not deceive you. That is a 1:1 scale Aston Martin DBR1 model and yes, its on a tree just like you remembered when you were a kid. Only one will be made and it will go up for auction at the Goodwood Revival with an auction guide price of $31,286-$46,929. For all that green you will get a life size DBR1 model kit which will include four 16” wire wheels on Dunlop race tires, a Mota Lita 15” steering wheel, upholstered race seats, machined aluminum gear knob and lever, a satin black finished dash with Smiths gauges, a replica Le Mans trophy, and a cap signed by none other than Caroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori, the legendary drivers who took the DBR1 to the victory circle in 1959.

The Harley Sportster is a relatively inexpensive yet powerful bike, making it popular for modifications. Japanese builder Hidemo used a 1200cc 2011 model to make his version of the Custom Sportster that stands out from other customs. Hidemo abbreviated the front fender, added dropped mirrors a la cafe racer and gave the bike a subtle paint job that accentuates its sexy build. We especially love the pair of classic Firestone tires, which fit perfectly with the understated theme of the bike. We can just picture Mr. McQueen hopping on this bad boy and riding into the sunset.

How easy is it to fool the cops? You’re looking at the answer. This cooler disguised as a stump makes public consumption of alcohol a breeze plus it doubles as a seat so you can rest and enjoy a cold one.

Finally, a wine rack that won’t clash with your decor. It’s a modular, fully-customizable rack system made of aluminum and premium wood veneers that you can put anywhere. It was created by 2012 ICFF award-winning designer Eric Pfeiffer. Never thought we’d say this but the dude has a nice rack.

Keep the Band-Aids and Advil, our preference for first aid treatment comes in a bottle. Or, in this case, a flask. The First Aid Flask proudly displays your desire to fight off pain with a little nip. We’d recommend keeping an actual first aid kit on hand (whiskey won’t help a ton if you remove your finger with a bandsaw), but for the normal wear and tear of everyday life, this the only help we need.

The largest Radio Control fly-in is currently underway in Woodruff, SC (Joe Nall 2012). As one would expect, the big guns of R/C are out in force. Desert Aircraft is always present and showing off their latest and greatest engine designs.

This week they managed to knock the entire community on it’s ear.

Even if you aren’t into R/C you have to admit, the engine above is DEAD sexy. This is DA’s first four-stroke and they have knocked it out of the park. It’s 250cc’s of pure, unadulterated MADE IN THE USA sexiness. No compromises.

Oh, and did we mention it’s SUPERCHARGED. Yeah. That.

It’s not available yet, but the owner of DA is committed to bringing it to market. Pricing will be exorbitant…but you get what you pay for. DA’s support is second to none. So click the link below and get some more information on the new 250FS from our friends at FlyingGiants.com.

Just in is the FIRST COMMERCIALLY available Remington XM2010 M24 rifle for sale. It is chambered in .300 Win Mag and includes everything shown. This entire set up comes in a coyote tan soft case inside of the Pelican hard case. Even the scope and your cleaning kit come with hard cases that fit inside the coyote case. Suppressor also comes with a wrap. For serious inquiries and pricing click on the jump.

Men agree, there’s no better gift than a bottle of booze. But in the excitement of receiving such a thoughtful present, must you immediately cave to the pressure and hit it straight off the bottle? Not if you also get this card. It contains an easy-to-fold, pop-out origami shot glass. Slightly awesome, yes.

Not content to let its coupe-y siblings have all the M-Powered fun, the new BMW M135i packs some serious power into a compact hatchback package. Available in three- and five-door versions, the M135i is powered by a 320 hp straight-six TwinPower Turbo engine, a host of high-tech safety features like adaptive headlights, a rear view camera, and a lane-departure warning system, BMW Assist, a model-specific exterior and interior design, a longer, wider, and more spacious body, M-grade suspension components, your choice of six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmissions, and optional xDrive all-wheel drive. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for a US launch.

]]>http://monkeybait.com/2012/05/07/the-man-card/feed/0atomicmarshyvoid(0)25 THINGS EVERY GUY SHOULD BE ABLE TO DOhttp://monkeybait.com/2012/05/07/25-things-every-guy-should-be-able-to-do/
http://monkeybait.com/2012/05/07/25-things-every-guy-should-be-able-to-do/#commentsMon, 07 May 2012 20:36:19 +0000http://monkeybait.com/?p=608]]>

As Glenn Reynolds writes in his new PM column, traditional knowledge of how to build and fix ordinary things—around the house and in a jam—might be on the decline. With our lives becoming more driven by technology, blue-collar labor has been replaced with more white-collar employment, and teenagers are becoming better at programming Web sites than swinging hammers.

Here at PM, where we at least try to do everything, we spent weeks fine-tuning our list of “25 Skills Every Man Should Know,” debating over whether certain items were too basic, too challenging or just too obscure. You can find a full how-to rundown of each one in the October issue of Popular Mechanics, which just hit newsstands. But for now, check out our carefully selected list below, then offer your own arguments and suggestions in the comments section below, or tell us how to perform your must-know skill by writing to us here…

We like beer. Beer is good. But the last beer from the pitcher is always the worst. Warm and stanky. But, if you get this Ice Core pitcher, the last beer won’t just be cold and crisp, it will whet your whistle for the inevitable refill.

Devon follows up the Tread 1 with a new timepiece that’s just as bold and much more efficient. The Tread 2 utilizes the same beautifully complex “Time Belt” system of the original watch which is now powered by a “Hybrid” movement that brings together mechanical components and a lithium polymer battery that keeps the watch charged for up to two weeks. When you need more juice the watch can be placed onto its charging cradle which fills the battery back to capacity using wireless induction charging.

I’ve carried SOG knives for years and next to my Benchmade it’s one of my favorites. I’m like most guys, a pocket knife is an essential everyday item, but if you’re in the dark without a flashlight, it won’t do you much good — unless it’s a SOG BladeLight Knife. Thanks to state-of-the-art switches and circuitry, it packs six LEDs into its GRN handle on either side of the blade, providing shadowless light for precise cuts. Oh, and it’s also waterproof, draws its power from AAA batteries, and can serve as a flashlight when the blade’s put away. Arriving in Q3 2012.

Lest you think Radio Control Aircraft are toys…feast your eyes on this engine from Kolm in Germany. Still in prototype stages, the IL200 is a 3 cylinder, 200cc, four stroke powerhouse designed for large scale, high speed racers and warbirds.

It’ll cost north of $5000 when production begins (and when it comes stateside). If you want to express your inner air racer, there is simply no better powerplant to bolt up to your giant-scale warbird. Pony up some hard earned cash (probably ~$20,000) for a suitable airframe and electronics, put down a pre-order deposit (link for info below) and blow the minds of those who believe model aircraft are the purvey of little boys.

Think of the fun you can have in the Monday meeting with a laser pointer controlled by your iPhone. Plug the Smart Dot unit into your headphone jack, download the free app, and boom, you’re instantly putting a red dot on the bosses bald spot. And if you actually want to use it for work, put it in Presentation Mode and link it up with your PowerPoint or Mac KeyNote application for remote control scroll.

SureFire’s UDR Dominator isn’t just a flashlight, its a 2,000 lumen mini-lighthouse that can fit in your hand. Basically you’re holding the freaking sun! The UDR touts an 11 setting selector ring to adjust the brightness from 10 to 2000 lumens and also uses a rechargeable battery system.

Bonhams’ high-profile auctions usually throw up some surprises. But few are as big as this one. Most vintage motorcycles worth more than $100,000 are pretty well known, but have you ever heard of the German brand Windhoff? Me neither. Yet this restored 1928 example, fresh from a private museum, is expected to sell for between $145,000 and $190,000.

The Eterna Adventic is the first Eterna that incorporates their in-house calibre 3843, which features a Spherodrive mechanism for enhanced durability. The circular 44mm case in 18kt rosé gold is limited to just 50 pieces. The Adventic undoubtedly radiates quiet elegance, but a subtle feminine charm encompasses this pretty huge timekeeper adding a note of distinction. Alongside the Spherodrive system, the caliber also features 26 jewels and features 72 hours of power reserve.

Because those damn zombies aren’t going to kill themselves you’re gonna need some real stopping power to make mince meat of their skinny butts. Enter the 14+1 capacity KSG tactical pump shotgun. This baby sports of front tactical site, EOTech mangnifier behind an EOTech Zombie Stopper holosight, and a full 18 1/2 barrel buried in a 26.1-inch profile. This is a truly ambidextrous weapon that ejects the spent shells through a bottom ejection port.

So when all hell breaks loose and Zombies are clinging to you like tin foil on a chicken burrito… you now have a way to evict them.

Did we mention that our favorite color is chrome and that instead of a baby rattel our parents stuck Snap-on tools in our little hands at birth? All true. That’s why this little beauty makes our chest sprout forth with dense hair while we offer up guttural growls. All our woes are solved in this manly little gadget. First, if you use it, you get beer. Nuff said. Second, you won’t be forced to use your wives fancy schmancy can opener from Pampered Chef to get said beer. And third, it’s chrome. Done.

You’ve got it all: the man cave, the ginormous flat screen, a pimple free complexion. However, you’re probably missing the Villain Chair. Sure, world domination isn’t on your agenda. We all agreed on that, right? But there is nothing like turning around and greeting your guests in the same vein of a bad guy straight out of a James Bond film.

Enter the Villain Chair. It’s a whopping $7,000 and for that kind of cash you could buy a car or very nice motorcycle. But keep in mind that the Villain Chair is hand crafted using steel and 20 padded leather facets on formed aluminium. In other words any way you site, however big or you are, the Villain Chair should be able to mold to your awkwardly shaped body. Strangely enough the Villain Chair is made by a company called Suck UK – let’s hope they mean you’ll suck less when you buy their furniture – still odd, though.

Here at MonkeyBait we’re about 3% chick. It’s that same 3% that makes us love killer kicks, a great couch at Restoration Hardware or decorating our fridge with magnets. Enter Kudu Magnets. It’s difficult to approach fridge magnets in an imaginative way, but Kudu took the magnets one step forward and created designed magnetic panels that cover the whole fridge, and turn a common fridge to a work of art.

What’s even better is that, unlike stickers, the designed magnets can be easily changed depending on the holidays, seasons or even your mood. Ultimately, the Kudu Magnets are a great and easy way to spice up your kitchen space.

The Clip is kind of like a Swiss Army knife for your keys. It’s not actually Swiss or made for the military, but it’s compact and performs an impressive number of functions. It is a key chain that clips to your pocket or belt but the clip can also act as a wallet. It’ll open your beers and neatly wrap your headphone cord. It’s quietly talented.

These handcrafted oil lamps incorporate a classic incandescent light bulb in the design, and will add a modern, elegant and eco-friendly touch to your home. The handmade base for the Recycled Light Bulb Oil Lamp is created from a beautiful solid wood half dome.

When it comes to grilling, we try to be purists. We’re guilty of the occasional gas cook out of sheer convenience, but we always feel bad about it when we take the first bite out of whatever meaty concoction we just charred. Charcoal with a chimney is the best way to go, but it’s also a pain. Until now. Grill Cube is the easiest solution possible for charcoal grilling and only slightly less convenient than gas. Light the bottom of the cardboard Grill Cube, throw it in your Weber and 10 minutes later you’re cooking with fire. No lighter fluid, no charcoal fingers and better tasting food. You still have to cook the food yourself, but Grill Cube takes care of everything else.

The 1968 Aston Martin DBS driven by George Lazenby as James Bond in 1969′s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is one of the coolest cars ever, but we’ve just found a similar one that’s even better.

Bonhams’ Aston Martin sale at Newport Pagnell, UK, will feature this 1971 Aston Martin DBS Shooting Brake, the only one of its kind, built specially by FLM Panelcraft for the current owner in 1975. The ultimate marriage of secret agent swagger and gentlemanly sporting utility is expected to fetch up to about $110,000. We would gladly pay twice that to get behind the wheel of this blue beauty – and somebody probably will…

At MonkeyBait we love beer. No we REALLY love beer. That’s why we’ve fallen exclusively in love with Epic Beer. Epic is Utah’s first brewery since prohibition to brew exclusively high alcohol content beer. Epic handcrafts and carefully bottles its unique product in 22-ounce bottles, perfect for sharing or a long savor, solo style.

Epic Brewing Company creates high-quality, fresh and extremely flavorful beer in small quantities with unending varieties. Epic uses only the finest malts from the US and Europe, intense hops and triple filtered water. Hit their website to discover natural variations of taste, from sweet malt, citrus, pine, oak, smoke to chocolate, coffee, vanilla to cinnamon, to most anything epicurean you can imagine…

This is a battery charger designed specifically for recharging regular alkaline batteries. In just 90 minutes it’ll safely recharge the AA & AAA batteries you usually throw in the trash. This was long overdue.